Summary of Best Bets
Best Bet: Race 1 (3) St Gotthard
Next Best: Race 2 (3) Capital Illusion
Best Value: Race 6 (4) Just Glamourous
Race 1
We kick off the program with an impressive 2yo Maiden with some high-priced yearlings stepping out for the first time.
The $2.7 million yearling, (3) St Gotthard goes clearly on top, a full brother to Switzerland, who has looked dynamic in both of his trials this time in. I especially like his trial form around Wild Atlantic. Draws well and gets James.
(8) Peyton is the danger, race fitness and experience edge here and maps to take up the running from barrier 1, that’s key on what looks a firm deck.
(1) Lafite maps well also for his debut, he’s been scratched a handful of times now but looks finally set to make his debut.
Selections:
(3) St Gotthard
(8) Peyton
(1) Lafite
Suggested Bet: (3) St Gotthard WIN
Race 2
Another cracking 2yo Maiden, this time for the fillies.
Keen to see (3) Capital Illusion make her debut, the homebred Gooree Stud filly has caught my eye in two stylish trials. She’s got speed, tactical versatility and looks well placed here on debut.
I liked what (1) Bangkok Hottie did on debut in the G3 Kindergarten Stakes, back in grade here and gets a key jockey change with Lloyd now booked.
(6) Victorious Ruler has a race-fit advantage and will look better suited over 1200m second-up.
(7) Wacko showed off a turn of speed when getting to the outside in a recent 821m trial win, lovely map and intriguing booking of Nash.
Selections:
(3) Capital Illusion
(1) Bangkok Hottie
(6) Victorious Ruler
(7) Wacko
Suggested Bet: Capital Illusion + Bangkok Hottie WIN
Race 3
Intriguing race overall with no real speed expected up front.
(2) Above The Law draws wide but can roll across and take up the running with ease. He comes through a hot Maiden behind Mr Miller and Graffiti Tycoon, peak fitness now up to 1600m.
All eyes will be on the parade and market with the Maher-trained (4) Love ‘n’ Glory, eye-catching debut run when going around as a $71 chance. Up to Sydney now and finds McDonald.
(12) Verry Stella is next best, you don’t often see Lloyd aboard a $51 chance.
Selections:
(2) Above The Law
(4) Love ‘n’ Glory
(12) Verry Stella
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 4
Small field for the 2400m staying contest.
It was a tough watch last time out for (6) De Louviere backers, the 5yo rises back to his pet 2400m trip now and gets a key jockey change with Lloyd taking over. The smaller field is the other key to his chances.
(2) Stylebender has had the prep of his lifetime, ultra-consistent. Yes, he goes up in weight but gets the use of the claim now to aid, has to be in the mix.
(1) Casual Connection is in a very similar boat overall, smart gate and is aided by Stapleford’s 3kg claim.
(3) Knights Armour rounds out the numbers.
Selections:
(6) De Louviere
(2) Stylebender
(1) Casual Connection
(3) Knights Armour
Suggested Bet: (6) De Louviere WIN
Race 5
Tricky old race.
Happy to side with the fresh (11) Sanctified here on top, a very quiet but strong recent 900m trial and with the scratching of Hay Street, he should get a soft lead.
(12) Harry’s Evidence comes through a strong last start contest behind Call Me Gorgeous. Peak fitness and draws to get the 1-1.
(7) Ready To Shine has the race fitness on side coming off a career peak effort last time out, smart draw and smart jockey.
(1) Mawjood is next best, big weight, smart use of the claim but may just need this run.
Selections:
(11) Sanctified
(12) Harry’s Evidence
(7) Ready To Shine
(1) Mawjood
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 6
I can’t get (5) Surf’s Up anywhere near the $2.20 price here.
(4) Just Glamourous goes on top, back-to-back solid trials and makes her return on a dry deck. I just hope Hyeronimus pushes the button from 10 and rolls forward.
(2) Rantan can mix her form at the best of times, she was backed off the map late last time out but only ran on fairly. Peak fitness and has claims here.
(10) Hellabella should get all favours out in front with no real pressure around, yes, up in class but looks progressive enough.
Selections:
(4) Just Glamourous
(2) Rantan
(10) Hellabella
Suggested Bet: (4) Just Glamourous EW
Race 7
The race of the day and at that, a very strong BM78 contest full of Saturday-class animals.
(2) Skyglider goes on top but does look close to his price. Dominant fresh winner last time out and now with the scratching of Hay Street can land leader’s back.
(3) Miss Freelove brings the Ninja and Torque To Be Sure formlines to this event, 9 weeks off and back-to-back slick trials.
(6) Crepe Myrtle will eat up the 1100m fresh on a dry deck, may need this run looking at the profile but does get the perfect map and jockey booking.
(4) Golden Straand went through the grades swiftly last time out before pulling up with an issue in his last start, loved his recent trials and is another winning chance. What a race.
Selections:
(2) Skyglider
(3) Miss Freelove
(6) Crepe Myrtle
(6) Golden Straand
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Race 8
Wide open end to the program.
(4) Solar Army is an intriguing horse, his action has looked solid in two fitness-building trials. The UK import looks well placed here fresh off his overseas figures.
(2) Montpellier savaged the line late over 1400m last time out and now looks ready for 1600m third-up.
(5) Dreams Come True stays at 1600m second-up which is a slight concern, the 35 days between runs should help offset this though.
(7) Fiddlers Green comes off a strong last start run and has the figures to aim up here. In the mix.
Selections:
(4) Solar Army
(2) Montpellier
(5) Dreams Come True
(7) Fiddlers Green
Suggested Bet: No Bet
